WOMAN'S DEATH IN JULY

Updated Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014
Davidson police say a woman found dead on Old Meeting Way last month died of a single gunshot wound, and that their investigation has found “suspicious” circumstances surrounding her death.

Sarah Long, 41, was found dead July 23 at her condo on 611 Old Meeting Way, in the neighborhood off Davidson Gateway Drive in Davidson’s Exit 30 area. Police said that the time there was no reason for concern, hinting that it was a suicide.

Local police and crime scene investigators from Charlotte were back at the condo for hours on Aug. 14, prompting a new wave of rumors among neighbors. Neighbors said the woman died of a gunshot, possibly several days before she was found.

[WCNC-TV reported that Long was shot in the head. The station said her boyfriend had called police to say he hadn't seen her for a few days. The story also said the boyfriend told police she had terminal cancer, and that she had left him all her assets.]

Police declined to answer questions about the case over the past week. But on Wednesday they issued a statement acknowledging that a gunshot killed her. The statement said:

“Further investigation of the scene developed circumstances that appear suspicious, therefore the Davidson Police Department is continuing its investigation into this matter.”

Long had been a buyer at Lowe’s Corp. headquarters, in Mooresville.

“We want to reassure our citizens that Davidson is a safe community,” Police Chief Jeanne Miller said in the statement. “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim.”

Police are asking anyone with information about the case to call Detective Vernon Siders at 704-940-9635.